DNA RISK FACTORS IN YOUTH SUICIDE

自杀是美国15至19岁青年死亡的第二大原因，现在是犹他州15至19岁男性死亡的主要原因。虽然导致自杀的因素是复杂和多方面的，但最近的研究已经支持了遗传传播的精神风险因素的作用。自杀的绝对风险随着年龄的增长而增加，研究人员提出，青少年自杀可能代表了一个受遗传影响更大的亚组患者。对自杀者大脑的尸检研究发现，被称为血清素（也被称为5-羟色胺或5-HT）的神经递质化学物质水平下降。5 -羟色胺通路中的基因是自杀遗传易感性的有吸引力的候选者。本研究利用GCRC DNA制备核心实验室从法医办公室提供的组织中制备DNA，以便筛选候选基因的突变。

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in American youth between the ages of 15 and 19, and is now the leading cause of death for 15-19-year-old males in Utah. While the factors contributing to suicide are complex and multidimensional, recent studies have supported a role for genetically transmitted psychiatric risk factors. The absolute risk for suicide increases with age, and the investigators propose that youth suicide might represent a subgroup of patients with a much greater genetic influence. Post-mortem studies of brains of individuals who have committed suicide have found decreased levels of the neurotransmitter chemical called serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT). Genes in the serotonin pathway are attractive candidates for inheritable susceptibility to suicide. This study utilizes the GCRC DNA preparative core laboratory to prepare DNA from tissue supplied by the Medical Examiner's Office so that candidate genes can be screened for mutations.